Word Origin & History

sympathetic 1640s, "pertaining to sympathy," from Mod.L. sympatheticus, from Gk. sympathetikos, from sympathein, from sympathes "having a fellow feeling, affected by like feelings" (see sympathy). Meaning "having fellow feeling" is recorded from 1718. In anatomical sense, the word is attested from 1769, from Mod.L. (nervus) sympathicus, coined by Jacques-Benigne Winslow (1669-1760), Danish anatomist living in Paris. Related: Sympathetically.

Example Sentences for unsympathetically

Thornton looked at him unsympathetically, without commenting on his story.

I dealt with this subject, not unsympathetically I hope, in a former lecture.